Parma Western football players question school board members over dismissal of coach Al Ennis

Junior Ryan Conckin (right) speaks to the Western School Board meeting about dismissed varsity football coach Alex Ennis during the Western School Board meeting Thursday. (Citizen Patriot | Larry Hook)

PARMA, MI – Several Western High School football players and fans attended the Western School Board meeting Thursday to show support for Al Ennis, who was dismissed as head varsity football coach earlier this week.

Junior Ryan Conklin, a member of the football team, spoke on behalf of about eight players who were present. He said many of those players will be seniors next year, and they would like to know why their coach’s contract was not renewed.

Ennis, who teaches special education at Western High School, did not attend the meeting. He was relieved of his duties after guiding the Panthers to a 1-8 record this fall. He compiled a 15-30 record in five seasons as Western’s coach.

Superintendent Michael Smajda said after the meeting the decision to dismiss Ennis had nothing to do with wins and losses.

“The past practice is the athletic director and the high school principal have made coaching decisions in the past, whether it’s a renewal or a non-renewal,” Smajda said. “With any employment situation, an employee has due-process rights, which means they can appeal to the next, higher authority.”

In this case, the next highest authority is the superintendent. Smajda said Ennis is being afforded his due-process rights and is moving in that direction.

“He’s coming to me, and we’re going to have a conversation,” Smajda said. “I don’t want to pass judgment until I’ve heard his side of the story, and then we’ll proceed from there.”

Tom Dirlam, president of the Western Quarterback Club, was the only person besides Conklin to speak during public comment.

“I’m not here to plead for Al Ennis to remain as head football coach; I do not feel it would have any effect on the situation,” Dirlam said.

“I can only hope that he will be afforded due process, and whoever does make the ultimate decision will exercise due diligence and examine all the facts and circumstances before rendering an opinion.”

There was no mention during the meeting of when or if a search for a new head football coach would begin.

In other business, the board:

Presented a “Celebration of Excellence” award to Western senior Alex Sponsler, who recently earned his Eagle Scout Award, the highest in Scouting. Sponsler, a member of Troop 144 of Spring Arbor, led the construction of two new shot put rings and a discus ring at the high school. Sponsler is a member of the high school track team. He said the project took about 250 hours to complete.

Voted 7-0 to approve the purchase of five new school buses at a cost of about $76,000 each. The buses could arrive as soon as April of 2013.